License plate holder



Oct. 1, 1935. R, J DELWEES 2,016,080

LICENSE PLATE HOLDER Filed April 2, 1954 9 +5 @AUJL IZQE 70 PJQTE X A5 @56 0 M M o H k QL/ff6// J. Dc Wear Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in license plate holders.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved combined license plate holder and display for securing a license plate to a motor vehicle.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a license plate holder having means for uniting the holder and the license plate and engaging a support, whereby the holder and plate may be adjustably connected and also adjustably mounted on a motor vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for a license plate having a dis- 5 play panel and a support for engaging the upper edge of the plate and means for connecting the plate and holder and also for mounting them on a motor vehicle supporting member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved holder for a license plate including a display panel and upright supports for mounting the holder on an automobile bracket and serving to support the license plate and panel and reinforce the same.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of a holder constructed in accordance with the invention, and

5 showing a license plate secured therein.

Figure 2 is a rear View of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of another form 40 of the invention, and

Figure 5 is a rear View of the same.

In the drawing, the numeral l0 designates an elongated frame which is preferably made of some lightweight metal, such as sheet steel, 45 aluminum or the like, although it is not essential.

, The frame may be of an artistic design to add to its appearance and may be approximately the length of the ordinary license plate for motor 50 vehicles. The frame is provided along its lower front edge with a longitudinal flange ll depending therefrom, whereby a longitudinal recess II is provided along the lower rear edge of the frame. The upper edge of the license plate I2 55 is positioned to engage in the recess II, whereby the upper edge of said plate is reinforced and prevented from being bent out of shape.

A pair of flared brace bars or upright supports 13 lie along the rear side of the license plate and panel, and bolts [4 which pass through 5 openings 15 near the upper edge of the plate and through a vertical slot I6 in each bar l3, receive nuts I? to securely fasten the plate to said bars. By providing the slot i6, a certain amount of adjustment of the bars l3 with relation to the 1() license plate I2 is had.

The frame is formed with an elongated depression or recess l8 which receives a suitable display panel [9. The panel may have any desired indicia painted, or in any other way, suit- 15 ably displayed thereon. Bolts 20 pass through the panel and the 'back of the recess l8 and through a vertical slot 2i in the upper end of each brace bar l3, and receive nuts 22 on their uter ends (Figure 3). It is obvious that the 20 bolts 20 and nuts 22 not only hold the panel IS in position within the recess l8, but also serve to fasten the frame l0 rigidly to the brace bars l3. The slot 21in the upper ends of the bars allows for adjustment of said bars with relation to the 5 frame It. If it is desired to change the indicia displayed in the frame l0 it is only necessary to substitute another panel for the panel l9. The change is readily accomplished by removing the bolts 20. v 30 For securing the holder and license plate, which is fastened thereto by the bolts l4 and nuts ll, to a motor vehicle, the usual supporting bracket 23 of said vehicle is inserted between the license plate l2 and the brace bars l3 at the lower ends thereof. Bolts 24 pass through the license plate, through said bracket and through slots 25 in the lower end of the brace bars. Suitable nuts 26 are screwed onto the ends of the bolts 24 and serve to fasten the plate and bars to the bracket 23. I have shown a trio of slots 25 in the lower widened end of each brace bar. These slots are provided to take care of the varying positions of the openings in the lower ends of different license plates, and it is pointed out that regardless of the license plate fastened in the holder it is possible to register the openings in said plate with one of the slots.

When the license plate is secured to the holder and is in position on the bracket 23, the frame I I engages over the upper edge of the license plate, thereby reinforcing and bracing this edge, and preventing bending or crimping thereof. The vertical slots l6, 2!, and 25 in the bars I3 allow for a vertical adjustment so that license plates,

which'vary in size in different States, may be supported by said holder. It is obvious that the bars not only serve to support the license plate and frame H), but due to the increased width of their lower ends, will brace the license plate, adding rigidity thereto. Although I have shown the display panel l9 secured by the bolts 20, it is clearly within the invention to secure this panel within the recess 13 with rivets or other means, or to cast the letters on the frame itself, thereby eliminating the panel entirely and providing a permanent sign.

In Figures 4 and 5 I have shown a modified form of the invention. In this form the frame it is eliminated and a thin metal display panel 36 is substituted therefor. The plate may be any desired shape and extends approximately the length of an ordinary license plate. The lower edge of said plate 30 engages the rear upper portion of the license plate l2 and is secured'in'position between said plate and the brace bars It by the bolts 64, which pass through said plate, panel 36 and the bars. 'Any suitable indicia may be painted, or in any other way, displayed on the panel 3t. It is pointed out that the lower edge of the panel will brace the upper edge of the license plate and together with the brace bars l3 will. provide a rigid support for said license plate. In the form shown in Figures 4 and 5, which is cheaper in construction than the other form described, the bolts are eliminated, the only connecting means between the panel and the brace bars 13 being the bolts l4.

What 'I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: v

1. A holder for a motor vehicle license plate comprising, an elongated member engaging the upper edge of a license plate and having indicia thereon, upright supports secured to said member at their upper ends, means for securing said supports to a license plate below said member,

and means for securing said supports to a motor vehicle mounting.

,2. A holder for a motor vehicle license plate comprising, an elongated member for receiving the upper edge of a license plate and having indicia thereon, upright supports secured to said member at their upperends, means for securing said supports to a license plate below said memher, and means at the lower ends of said supports for securing the same to a motor vehicle mounting.

3. A holder for a motor vehicle license plate comprising, an elongated member for receiving the upper edge of a license plate and having indicia thereon, upright supports secured to said member at their upper ends, means for securing said-supports to a license plate below said memher, and means at the lowerends of said'supports for securing the same to a motor vehicle mounting, said last named means also being utilized to fasten the lower edge of a license plate to' said support.

4. A holder for a motor vehicle license plate comprising, an elongated frame member for receiving the upper edge of a license plate, a display panel having indicia thereon arranged to be removably mounted in the frame member, upright supports secured to the frame member at their upper ends, means for securing said supports to a license plate below said member, and means at the lower ends of said supports for securing the same to a motor vehicle.

5. A holder for a motor vehicle license plate.

tudinal depending flange for receiving the upper edge of a license plate to reinforce the same, a display panel having indicia thereon arranged to be removably mounted in the frame, vertical bars secured to the frame at their upper ends, means for securing said bars to a license plate below said member, and means at the lower ends of said bars for securing the same to a motor vehicle mounting.

7. A holder for a motor vehicle licenseplate comprising, an elongated frame having a longitudinal depending flange for receiving the upper edge of a. license plate to reinforce the same, a. display panel having indicia thereon arranged to be removably mounted in the frame, vertical bars secured to the frame at their upper ends, means for securing said bars to a license plate below said member, and means at the'lower ends of said bars for securing the same to a motor vehicle mounting, said last named means also being utilized to fasten the lower edge of a license plate to said support.

8. A holder for a motor vehicle license plate comprising, an elongated frame member for receiving theupper edge of a license plate, a display paneL'upright supports, means for securing the upper ends of the supports to the frame member, said means being also utilized to hold the panel in the frame member, and means for securing said supports to a license plate below said member.

9. A holder for a motor vehicle license plate comprising, an elongated panel having indicia thereon for engaging the rear upper portion of a license plate to brace the same, upright supports, and means for securing said supports to the lower edge of the'panel, said means also being utilized to secure the supports to a' license plate, and means for fastening the lower ends of the supports and plate to a motor vehicle mounting.

RUSSELL J. DE WEES. 

